Big Bertha's cutter head lowered into launch pit

The cutter head for Big Bertha, WSDOT's massive tunnel boring machine, is lowered into the launch pit for the massive machine. The machine is schedule to launch in July.

By By JOSHUA TRUJILLO

on May 31, 2013 12:23 PM

Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO/SEATTLEPI.COM

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The cutter head of the Washington State Department of Transportation's Big Bertha Highway 99 tunnel boring machine is lowered into its launch pit on Friday, May 31, 2013. The machine is scheduled to be launched in July and will emerge from the other end of the tunnel 14 months later. less

The cutter head of the Washington State Department of Transportation's Big Bertha Highway 99 tunnel boring machine is lowered into its launch pit on Friday, May 31, 2013. The machine is scheduled to be launched ... more

Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO, SEATTLEPI.COM

The cutter head of the Washington State Department of... Photo-4716655.63678 - seattlepi.com

Image 2 of 17

People watch as the cutter head of the Washington State Department of Transportation's Big Bertha Highway 99 tunnel boring machine is lowered into its launch pit on Friday, May 31, 2013. The machine is scheduled to be launched in July and will emerge from the other end of the tunnel 14 months later. less

People watch as the cutter head of the Washington State Department of Transportation's Big Bertha Highway 99 tunnel boring machine is lowered into its launch pit on Friday, May 31, 2013. The machine is ... more

Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO, SEATTLEPI.COM

People watch as the cutter head of the Washington State Department... Photo-4716654.63678 - seattlepi.com

Image 3 of 17

The cutter head of the Washington State Department of Transportation's Big Bertha Highway 99 tunnel boring machine is lowered into its launch pit on Friday, May 31, 2013. The machine is scheduled to be launched in July and will emerge from the other end of the tunnel 14 months later. less

The cutter head of the Washington State Department of Transportation's Big Bertha Highway 99 tunnel boring machine is lowered into its launch pit on Friday, May 31, 2013. The machine is scheduled to be launched ... more

Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO, SEATTLEPI.COM

The cutter head of the Washington State Department of... Photo-4716656.63678 - seattlepi.com

Image 4 of 17

Washington State Department of Transportation's Big Bertha Highway 99 tunnel boring machine is shown in its launch pit on Friday, May 31, 2013. The machine is scheduled to be launched in July and will emerge from the other end of the tunnel 14 months later. less

Washington State Department of Transportation's Big Bertha Highway 99 tunnel boring machine is shown in its launch pit on Friday, May 31, 2013. The machine is scheduled to be launched in July and will emerge ... more

An IMAX film crew works as the cutter head of the Washington State Department of Transportation's Big Bertha Highway 99 tunnel boring machine is lowered into its launch pit on Friday, May 31, 2013. The machine is scheduled to be launched in July and will emerge from the other end of the tunnel 14 months later. less

An IMAX film crew works as the cutter head of the Washington State Department of Transportation's Big Bertha Highway 99 tunnel boring machine is lowered into its launch pit on Friday, May 31, 2013. The machine ... more

Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO, SEATTLEPI.COM

An IMAX film crew works as the cutter head of the Washington State... Photo-4716658.63678 - seattlepi.com

Image 6 of 17

The cutter head of the Washington State Department of Transportation's Big Bertha Highway 99 tunnel boring machine is lowered into its launch pit on Friday, May 31, 2013. The machine is scheduled to be launched in July and will emerge from the other end of the tunnel 14 months later. less

The cutter head of the Washington State Department of Transportation's Big Bertha Highway 99 tunnel boring machine is lowered into its launch pit on Friday, May 31, 2013. The machine is scheduled to be launched ... more

Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO, SEATTLEPI.COM

The cutter head of the Washington State Department of... Photo-4716659.63678 - seattlepi.com

Image 7 of 17

The cutter head of the Washington State Department of Transportation's Big Bertha Highway 99 tunnel boring machine is lowered into its launch pit on Friday, May 31, 2013. The machine is scheduled to be launched in July and will emerge from the other end of the tunnel 14 months later. less

The cutter head of the Washington State Department of Transportation's Big Bertha Highway 99 tunnel boring machine is lowered into its launch pit on Friday, May 31, 2013. The machine is scheduled to be launched ... more

Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO, SEATTLEPI.COM

The cutter head of the Washington State Department of... Photo-4716660.63678 - seattlepi.com

Image 8 of 17

The cutter head of the Washington State Department of Transportation's Big Bertha Highway 99 tunnel boring machine is lowered into its launch pit on Friday, May 31, 2013. The machine is scheduled to be launched in July and will emerge from the other end of the tunnel 14 months later. less

The cutter head of the Washington State Department of Transportation's Big Bertha Highway 99 tunnel boring machine is lowered into its launch pit on Friday, May 31, 2013. The machine is scheduled to be launched ... more

Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO, SEATTLEPI.COM

The cutter head of the Washington State Department of... Photo-4716661.63678 - seattlepi.com

Image 9 of 17

People look into the pit as the cutter head of the Washington State Department of Transportation's Big Bertha Highway 99 tunnel boring machine is lowered into its launch pit on Friday, May 31, 2013. The machine is scheduled to be launched in July and will emerge from the other end of the tunnel 14 months later. less

People look into the pit as the cutter head of the Washington State Department of Transportation's Big Bertha Highway 99 tunnel boring machine is lowered into its launch pit on Friday, May 31, 2013. The machine ... more

Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO, SEATTLEPI.COM

People look into the pit as the cutter head of the Washington State... Photo-4716662.63678 - seattlepi.com

Image 10 of 17

Members of the public try to get a view as the cutter head of the Washington State Department of Transportation's Big Bertha Highway 99 tunnel boring machine is lowered into its launch pit on Friday, May 31, 2013. The machine is scheduled to be launched in July and will emerge from the other end of the tunnel 14 months later. less

Members of the public try to get a view as the cutter head of the Washington State Department of Transportation's Big Bertha Highway 99 tunnel boring machine is lowered into its launch pit on Friday, May 31, ... more

Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO, SEATTLEPI.COM

Members of the public try to get a view as the cutter head of the... Photo-4716663.63678 - seattlepi.com

Image 11 of 17

People gather as the cutter head of the Washington State Department of Transportation's Big Bertha Highway 99 tunnel boring machine is lowered into its launch pit on Friday, May 31, 2013. The machine is scheduled to be launched in July and will emerge from the other end of the tunnel 14 months later. less

People gather as the cutter head of the Washington State Department of Transportation's Big Bertha Highway 99 tunnel boring machine is lowered into its launch pit on Friday, May 31, 2013. The machine is ... more

Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO, SEATTLEPI.COM

People gather as the cutter head of the Washington State Department... Photo-4716664.63678 - seattlepi.com

Image 12 of 17

The cutter head of the Washington State Department of Transportation's Big Bertha Highway 99 tunnel boring machine is lowered into its launch pit on Friday, May 31, 2013. The machine is scheduled to be launched in July and will emerge from the other end of the tunnel 14 months later. less

The cutter head of the Washington State Department of Transportation's Big Bertha Highway 99 tunnel boring machine is lowered into its launch pit on Friday, May 31, 2013. The machine is scheduled to be launched ... more

Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO, SEATTLEPI.COM

The cutter head of the Washington State Department of... Photo-4716666.63678 - seattlepi.com

Image 13 of 17

Workers and officials pose for a photo as the cutter head of the Washington State Department of Transportation's Big Bertha Highway 99 tunnel boring machine is lowered into its launch pit on Friday, May 31, 2013. The machine is scheduled to be launched in July and will emerge from the other end of the tunnel 14 months later. less

Workers and officials pose for a photo as the cutter head of the Washington State Department of Transportation's Big Bertha Highway 99 tunnel boring machine is lowered into its launch pit on Friday, May 31, ... more

Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO, SEATTLEPI.COM

Workers and officials pose for a photo as the cutter head of the... Photo-4716669.63678 - seattlepi.com

Image 14 of 17

Workers and officials pose for a photo as the cutter head of the Washington State Department of Transportation's Big Bertha Highway 99 tunnel boring machine is lowered into its launch pit on Friday, May 31, 2013. The machine is scheduled to be launched in July and will emerge from the other end of the tunnel 14 months later. less

Workers and officials pose for a photo as the cutter head of the Washington State Department of Transportation's Big Bertha Highway 99 tunnel boring machine is lowered into its launch pit on Friday, May 31, ... more

Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO, SEATTLEPI.COM

Workers and officials pose for a photo as the cutter head of the... Photo-4716670.63678 - seattlepi.com

Image 15 of 17

People look into the pit as the cutter head of the Washington State Department of Transportation's Big Bertha Highway 99 tunnel boring machine is lowered into its launch pit on Friday, May 31, 2013. The machine is scheduled to be launched in July and will emerge from the other end of the tunnel 14 months later. less

People look into the pit as the cutter head of the Washington State Department of Transportation's Big Bertha Highway 99 tunnel boring machine is lowered into its launch pit on Friday, May 31, 2013. The machine ... more

Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO, SEATTLEPI.COM

People look into the pit as the cutter head of the Washington State... Photo-4716671.63678 - seattlepi.com

Image 16 of 17

The cutter head of the Washington State Department of Transportation's Big Bertha Highway 99 tunnel boring machine is lowered into its launch pit on Friday, May 31, 2013. The machine is scheduled to be launched in July and will emerge from the other end of the tunnel 14 months later. less

The cutter head of the Washington State Department of Transportation's Big Bertha Highway 99 tunnel boring machine is lowered into its launch pit on Friday, May 31, 2013. The machine is scheduled to be launched ... more

Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO, SEATTLEPI.COM

The cutter head of the Washington State Department of... Photo-4716672.63678 - seattlepi.com